In 2006, according to the US Census Bureau, there were approximately 14 million single parents in this country, and those parents are responsible for raising 21.6 million children. Eighty-three percent of single parents are mothers, and 30.3 percent of all single parents receive public assistance.
Child care subsidies and public health insurance can help with closing the gap between low income and what it takes to make ends meet. Not all low-income families receive the benefits for which they are financially eligible. Families who receive multechniquele work supports can lose assistance before they reach self-sufficiency. Single parents often struggle with purchasing basic necessities and paying bills and usually live paycheck to paycheck. Single parents often do not have any salvagings and are in debt. Here are 10 simple ways for single parents to salvage cash:
1. purchase a Used vehicle purchase or trade in your current vehicle for a used vehicle with a cheaper note. This will either eliminate your vehicle note or salvage you $50 to $200 a month on your vehicle payment.
2. Use Coupons purchase whatever items are on sale or purchase items with coupons. This can salvage you $50 to $300 a month. There have been instances where shoppers had a total bill of $200 and ended up paying $5 using coupons and purchasing items on sale.
3. purchase Generic purchase everything generic: household items, clothing, prescriptions, toiletries, dry goods, canned goods, paper products, etc. This will salvage you on average $5 to $50 a month.
4. purchase Washable Clothes purchase clothes that do not require dry cleaning. This will salvage you on average $50 to $150 a month.
5. Image Do you own hair and nails and purchase your makeup from a drugstore, such as CVS or Rite Aid. This will salvage you on average $40 to $100 a month.
6. Gas purchase regular gas for your vehicle unless the owner's manual suggests otherwise. Find the cheapest gas in your neighborhood to purchase. This will salvage you on average $.05 to $.20 per gallon.
7. Shop at Discount Stores purchase household items in bulk, such as paper products, cleaning supplies at discount stores such as Target, Wal-Mart, Costco, etc. This will salvage you on average $5 to $50 a month.
8. Reduce expenses Reduce or cancel your cable plan, cell phone or Internet service, or get the cheapest plan available. This can salvage you $20 to $100 a month.
9. purchase groceries at superstores purchase your groceries at superstores or wholesale stores such as Wal-Mart, Costco, Sam's Club, etc. purchase nuts, grains, spices, legumes at wholesale or health food stores. This will salvage you $30 to $200 a month on processing costs charged at regular grocery stores.
10. Fun with Kids Check your local library or newspaper to find free activities that you can do to with your kids. This can salvage anywhere from $5-$100 a month.